Malaysia's state energy firm Petronas has secured a 15-year contract to supply liquefied natural gas to Japan's Shikoku Electric Power Company from April 2010.

Petronas said in a statement issued to Bernama that the deal involves its unit Malaysia LNG supplying up to 420,000 metric tonnes (925.9 million pounds) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year to the Japanese power company.

Shikoku Electric, which provides electricity to Shikoku Island, will use LNG as fuel in its power plants for the first time from 2010 onwards.

The total value of the contract was not stated but Petronas said the deal also comes with an option to extend for an additional five years.

Petronas said the LNG will be delivered from its complex in Bintulu, Sarawak to Shikoku Electric's new receiving terminal in Sakaide, Japan which is due to be completed in 2010.